Funnel.



P. G. KOLLBNBERG.

FUNNEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 6, 1907.

Petentea Feb.1.,1910.

,MQ W @e Wil/weeen "rn srars li t 4t FREDERICK Gi. KOLLENBERG, FOWENSBORO, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO l. R. LANCASTER, 0FOWENSBORO, KENTUCKY.

FUNN EL.

, Daviess, State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Funnels, of which the following is a specilication.

The present invention relates to improvements in funnels, moreespecially of that class of funnels which is provided with theforaminous strainer, and the invention consists in the constructionhereinafter pointed out. i

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which constitutes a part of thisapplication, Figure I is a diametrical, vertical section, partially inelevation, of a preferred form of embodiment of my funnel, showing t-hevalve closed. Fig. II is a view similar to Fig. I, illustrating thelower part of my funnel with the valve open, and showing the dischargeend of my funnel inserted into the neck of a jug, by engagement whereofwith the valve-actuating member the valve is opened, as illustratedtherein. Fig. III is a section on the line III-III of Fig. II lookingdownwardly.

Referring to the numerals on the drawing, l indicates a vessel,preferably of metal, of any preferred shape and dimensions, whichterminates in a tube 2, the members l and 2 in themselves constitutingan ordinary funnel. The vessel l is preferably of curvilinear contour,as illustrated, and is provided with a handle 3 for convenience ofmanipulation.

In the bottom of the vessel l, about the mouth of the tube 2, I providea valve-seat I of any preferred type, and cooperating therewith acorresponding valve 5, the valveseat and valve being preferably of thecone shape illustrated.

rIhe valve is provided with automatic actuating means for keeping itnormally closed preferably, but operative, at will, for the discharge ofthe contents of the vessel l into the tube 2.

By reason of the employment of a valve in the bottom of the vessel l, itis not only practicable to utilize the vessel as a liquid measure fordetermining the quantity of any liquid which it may contain, but it isalso practicable to discharge from it a portion of its contents whenfilled in measured quantities. This may be accomplished by Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed March 6, 1907.

Patented Feb. ll, i910. Serial No. 360,828.

providing in the wall of the vessel l a series of peripheral markings 6,or indicators of quantity. The vessel l being made of metal, theindicators 6 may be conveniently formed by creasing' the metal of thewall at required intervals. The markings 6 may be located whereverrequired and as often as desired to indicate subdivisions of the totalcapacity of the vessel, -whatever the total capacity may be.

' I prefer to employ as a means for actuating' the valve 5 a terminaltube 7 operatively connected with said valve and telescoping the lowerend of the tube 2, whereon it is free to slide within Xed limits.

I prefer to locate the tube 7 outside of the tube 2 and to connect itwith the valve through a valve-stem 8, as by branches 9, the branches 9,which may be of any preferred and available number, though preferably aplurality, being free to work in slots or kerfs l0, formed in the lowerend of the tube 2.

The tube 7 is kept normally urged toward movement away from the vessell, and the valve is thereby closed upon its seat 4t, as by a coil spring1l, interposed between the Lipper end of the tube 7 and the bottom ofthe vessel l. It is chiefly for convenience of accommodation of thespring l1 that the tube 7 is located outside of the tube 2 instead ofinside `of it, because such relative disposition of the parts providesfor the unobstructed outflow through the tube 2, and for the employmentof a tubular casing l2 about the spring 1l and telescoping the upper endof the tube 7 the casing 12 being co-aXial with the tubes 2 and 7 andsecured to the bottom of the vessel l. The function of the tubularcasing l2 is not only to properly aline the spring ll to the performanceof its function, but to protect it from rust or other contamination. Thepresence of the casing l2 adds but little to the diameter of the tube 7and affords a compact construction and attractive finish to the article.

The power of the spring ll whereby the proper seating of the valve 5upon its seat is attained and secured is regulated by a nut 14, threadedto the upper end of the valve-stem 8 and serving to liX the distancebetween the valve and the upper edge of the tube 7. By screwing the nut14 down upon the valve, it may be made to more closely compress thecoils of the spring 11, and

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- ing inclined or downwardly tapering edges 16, as shown in Figs. I andII. The wings 15 are preferably brazed, or otherwise firmly secured, tothe outside of the tube 7, and are adapted to the performance of twofunctions. One is to afford convenient means of lifting the tube 7, byengagement of the edges 16 of the wings 15 with a jug neck 17 of anyavailable size. The other function is that it provides a vent for theair within the receptacle displaced by the discharge thereinto of liquidfrom the vessel 1 through the funnel, to the lower end of which, ineffect, the wings 15 are attached.

fithin the vessel 1 and fitting it when in place snugly on all sides, Iprovide a foraminous strainer 19, which may consist of a disk ofreticulated material. The strainer is mounted within the vessel 1 bymeans which render it readily removable and renewable as often asoccasion may require. To that end, I prefer to employ a centrallylocated threaded stud 20, carried as upon a base-plate 21 that issupported above and secured to the lower end of the vessel 1, as by legs22 and 23 secured at their lower ends to the bottom of the funnel andsupporting the base-plate 21 at their upper ends. The strainer 19, beingprovided with an aperture for the reception of the stud 20, may besecured thereto against the base-plate 21 as by a nut 25 threaded to thestud.

In operation, the vessel 1 is supplied with liquid contents, filling itto any extent desired, the portion. of it in the bottom of the vesselbeing strained by passing through the strainer 19. Until it is desiredto liberate the contents, in whole or in part, from the vessel 1, theyare confined therein by the normal seating of the valve 5 against itsseat. At the will of the operator, a portion of indeterminate andmeasurable quantity,

may be discharged from the vessel 1 upon the opening of the valve 5,whicliis readily effected, as by grasping the outside of the tube 7 andlifting it, or by inserting it into themouth of a jug, as shown in Fig.II, and pressing, if need be, gently down upon the handle 3 until thevalve is lifted from its seat, the weight of the contents of the vessel,which when the tube 7 is inserted into the mouth of a receptacle whosewall may engage the wings 15, tending of itself to open the valve.Immediately upon cessation of the lifting force upon the tube 7, thespring 11, projecting it downwardly, automatically closes the valve 5.

If it be desired to discharge the contents of the vessel 1 in measuredquantity, the vessel may be filled, more or less, by meas urement uponthe indicators G and the entire contents so measured discharged. If,l1owever, the vessel be filled, or approximately filled, a measuredquantity, corresponding to the difference indicated between theindicators 6 upon the vessel, may be discharged and the remainingcontents retained within the vessel.

The adjustment of the resistance of the spring 11 by manipulation of thenut 14 has already been specified, as well as the removability of thestrainer 1.9 through manipulation of the nut 25. It is, however, properto add that by reason of the presence of the nuts 25 and 111,respectively, the mechanism of my funnel may be readily disassembled sothat access to all of its parts may be readily had for the purpose ofeasily and effectually cleaning it.

The removability and consequent renew ability of the strainer 19 is animportant feature of my invention, inasmuch as it is comparatively easyto cleanse a smooth surface of any liquid, even of one of the mostviscous consistency. It may be, on the other hand, difficult tothoroughly cleanse a strainer, but by providing ready means for renewingthe strainer, one strainer may be replaced by another with facility anddespatch as often as the application of the funnel to the serving ofdifferent liquids may require.

That I claim is:

1. In a funnel, the combination with its vessel and tube, of a baseplate, legs connected with the vessel and supporting said base platecentrally within the vessel above the tube, a strainer fitting saidfunnel, and means for removably securing said strainer to the baseplate.

2. A funnel provided with a foraminous strainer spaced away from thebottom. of the funnel, a base plate, legs secured at their lower ends tothe bottom of the funnel, and at their upper ends to said base plate, acentrally located threaded stud carried by said base plate, a nut uponsaid stud, the foraminous strainer coming between the plate and the nut.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK G. KOLLENBERG.

Titnesses JAS. Gr. WALL, CHAs. Gr. NALLE.

